The Schuylkill County prison board has a new chairman while the average inmate population hit its lowest mark in two years.
Republican Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. takes over as chairman after the board reorganized Wednesday. President Judge William E. Baldwin, a Democrat, served in the position for the last eight years.
"The judge has done an excellent job in leading the prison the broad," Halcovage said. "There is great cooperation from all the people who make up the board. We have worked together for the betterment of the community and want to continue same type of communication we have had in the past."
The prison board consists of the three commissioners, controller, district attorney, sheriff and the president judge of the court of common pleas.
County Sheriff Joseph G. Groody, a Democrat, nominated Baldwin for the position but there was no second. Fellow Republican Commissioner Frank J. Staudenemeier nominated Halcovage, and it was seconded by the newly-elected Republican District Attorney Christine Holman. The board members then unanimously voted to appoint Halcovage.
Halcovage appointed a new personnel committee consisting of Staudenmeier, chairman, Democratic Commissioner Gary J. Hess, and Republican County Controller Christy Joy, secretary.
After reogranizing, the prison board held its first monthly meeting of the year.
The average inmate population for December was 265, consisting of 219 men and 46 women. There were 261 inmates, 219 men and 42 women, at the prison Wednesday, Berdanier said.
The monthly average population is at its lowest since it was at 268 in January 2012. The average inmate population for 2013 was 303, consisting of 251 men and 52 women. Total intake of prisoners for the year was 1,863 and the average length of stay per inmate was 59 days.
The population has been steadily declining since the board started the prerelease program in October. The program is similar to parole but features stricter monitoring.
"We are very happy with that program," Berdanier said.
A total of 11 offenders started the prerelease program in December, bringing the total of participants to 48, saving 1,238 total jail days at the prison. One participant was removed for violations.
Approximately 4,952 alcohol tests were administered and 138 drug tests were taken on the 48 participants.
There are currently no staff vacancies at the prison.
Warden Gene Berdanier said corrections officer John "Jack" Wowak submitted his retirement notice, effective Monday.
"Jack has been a correctional officer since Dec. 3, 2011," Berdanier said. "I thank him for his years of service and wish him well in his future."
Berdanier said he was reviewing the top candidates for further testing with human resources.
"I will coordinate a recommendation with the personnel committee as soon as test results are received," Berdanier said.
Following a brief executive session to discuss personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of Jessica Karrer as a corrections officer. Her resignation went into effect Tuesday.